Hi Everyone,
Fellowship application season is here, so this morning I’m going to tackle FAQs for current and future candidates.
What do fellowships look for? Programs want candidates who will work hard and contribute to their program. They seek fellows with the potential to become faculty. Selection committees look for evidence of clinical excellence, scholarship, citizenship, and interpersonal skills- emotional intelligence, professionalism, willingness to work hard, reliability, and kindness.
Am I competitive? You’re all competitive, but you need to match your interests with the right program. Some programs seek physician scientists, so if your focus is education, you may need to look elsewhere. Some specialties are especially competitive—particularly GI, cardiology, and heme-Onc—and the most sought after programs seek candidates with deep research and leadership portfolios. Faculty and residency leadership are here to guide you.
Where should I apply? Focus on programs that meet your professional and personal needs. Compared to residencies, which generally offer strong, broad education, fellowships often vary in their specific strengths. For example, some PCCSM programs are leaders in asthma or global health, while others are known for excellence in critical care, ILD, or sleep.* For more information, you should tap into the expertise of Yale faculty as well as alumni, who have trained throughout the country. Be sure to consider geography, particularly if you have a partner with work restrictions or you wish to train near family.
How many programs should I apply to? The answer varies by applicant and specialty, but considerations include specialty competitiveness, geographic restrictions, and whether you’re applying as a couple. You should only apply to programs that you’re sincerely considering. If your application has glitches (e.g., lower USMLEs, less scholarship, clinical struggles), you should include less competitive programs on your list. Many applicants get more interview invitations than they can accept. For candidates applying to competitive fields, 10-12 interviews should be enough.
Do I need to plan for coverage during interview season? Yes. By now, you should already have requested a non-backup elective and/or vacation during late summer or early fall. We will provide you with backup for one day during interview season if you have to interview while on a clinical rotation. For additional coverage, you will need to arrange swaps with colleagues.
How many letter writers do I need? Check fellowship websites for instructions, but most programs want four: a program director’s letter, a clinical letter in your specialty, a scholarship letter (e.g., from Research-in-Residency, a Quality Improvement Project, or a Distinction Project), and a wildcard. The latter will usually be a second clinical letter, for example from a longitudinal outpatient experience to complement an inpatient letter. You may also consider a second research letter if you’re applying to research-focused programs.
Who should I ask to write a letter: Ask faculty who know you well. Although letters are confidential, your MedHub evaluations will give you a sense of what would go into your recommendation. If you haven’t asked for letters yet, do it now. Once a faculty member agrees to write a letter, send them your CV, a draft of your personal statement, and an offer to meet with them to discuss your plans (not all letter writers need to meet with you, but it doesn’t hurt to ask). Get letter writers the information they need from ERAS to upload letters and let them know the deadlines.
What’s included in the program director’s letter? My letters are written according to APDIM guidelines (see the attached template). The letter provides information about our residency; assesses your clinical performance, medical knowledge, teaching ability, professionalism, and communication skills; highlights your scholarship and extracurricular contributions; and ends with an assessment of your fellowship potential.
How important is the personal statement? Very (see my prior Program Director’s Notes on this topic). Aim to excite fellowship directors about your candidacy: What drew you to the specialty? How do your past experiences show your potential? What do you hope to gain from training? What do you seek in a program? How do you hope to contribute to the field? What do you see yourself doing after training?
Should I apply this year? Hmm. Many residents apply at the end of their PGY2 year, but there are no rules. A Chief year can offer clinical and leadership experience and bolster any application. Experience as a hospitalist or primary care physician can add to your clinical maturity (I spent a year as an emergency medicine physician before fellowship). Waiting a year or two can give you more research and leadership opportunities as well as more time to decide which field to pursue. After spending time as a hospitalist or primary care physician, many graduates learn that general internal medicine is their true calling. The bottom line is you can apply now if you’re ready, but there’s no rush.
What do I do now? Good question. If you’re applying this year:
- Tell me, so I can start working on your letter. With 30+ letters to write, I need to start.
- Send me your CV and “talking points” to highlight in your PD letter.
- Send me a draft of your personal statement, which I’ll gladly review.
- Attend Fellowship Application Night this Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30P in Fitkin Amphitheater, hosted by Dr. Gupta. Fellowship Directors will be sharing their advice and I’ll be zooming in from Nova Scotia.
- Identify and confirm letter writers.
- Check ERAS’s website for deadlines. Note: it can take up to five business days to process uploaded materials, so don’t wait for the last minute!
If you have more questions, ask away. You’re a talented group and we’re going to have another successful year.
Enjoy your Sunday, everyone. Today, I’ll be driving to Nova Scotia for one more week of retreat.
Mark
*IMHO, Yale PCCSM is strong in all these areas... 😊
P.S. What I’m reading:
- As Bird Flu Looms, the Lessons of Past Pandemics Take On New Urgency
- How to Create a Society That Prizes Decency
- From the Embers of an Old Genocide, a New One May Be Emerging
- God’s Doctors
P.P.S. Acadia Pics: